Reining world champion Wang Liqin was stunned by Hong Kong player Leung Chunyan 3-1 at the Magdeburg Table Tennis World Team Cup on Friday evening.

This was the first losing game for the star-studded powerful Chinese team in the qualifying round of the tournament.

However, that was the only reverse in the fixture for China. Ma Lin beat Cheung Yuk, Wang Liqin overcame Li Ching later on whilst Wang Hao and Ma Lin combined to win the doubles against Cheung Yuk and Li Ching.

The Chinese men's team were still unbeaten in the qualifying round, sealing a place in the semifinals.

Chinese head coach Liu Guoliang attributed Wang's defeat to his failure to adapt to time difference.

"For the first thing, Wang had not yet adapted to the time difference after he arrived in Germany," Liu told Xinhua after the match.

"For the other, Wang Liqin was not aggressive, he was not in high morale in his fight," he added.

The head coach said he hoped that Wang would successfully make ajustment in Magdeburg.
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(Xinhua News Agency October 6, 2007)